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Mortenson Construction was chosen as the Construction Manager because they have national sports construction experience, local connections, offered the most competitive fee, have staff experience with operable roofs and a proven track record in hiring a diverse workforce. Mortenson’s workforce will be 100 percent Minnesota based as they are a Minnesota company.

The new stadium is the largest construction project in the state of Minnesota. Mortenson estimates that the stadium construction project will take 4.25 million work hours and employ 7,500 workers.

“@KFAN1003: Lester Bagley tells us that 2013 is "virtually assured" to be the final season of Vikings football at the Metrodome. Bagley says the plan now is to demolish the Metrodome in February of 2014 ... after the 2013 Vikings season. Bagley says a decision on a retractable feature on the stadium will be made within 60-90 days. #Vikings”_________________

It probably won't be as dramatic as the Kingdome going down. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to witness that in person, since I hadn't moved to Seattle until about 7 or 8 months later than that, but that would have been a sight to see.

The Metrodome going down will probably be more akin to a souffle going flat and then the sides caving in. _________________

The "tan" colored version is less preferred by me. I like the "silver" colored rendering better because the former reminds me of an ark. Unless Zygi's name was Noah and he wanted an attached petting zoo.

The "tan" colored version is less preferred by me. I like the "silver" colored rendering better because the former reminds me of an ark. Unless Zygi's name was Noah and he wanted an attached petting zoo.

See I am the other way, with this concept I like the wood looking one b/c it resembles a viking ship more..._________________

While it's an interesting design, I don't know if I really like it or not...and would the architecture of the bow and stern hold up in bad weather? Or would they rip off in some horrendous microburst? I don't really know, it's just a question.

Looking at it again, I now am more convinced that I don't like it at all. It looks like a giant two-sided teapot._________________

Mortenson Construction was the unanimous choice of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. Was it the first choice of the Vikings, too?

Lester Bagley: "Well, yeah. Like every decision that needs to be made during this process, the legislation said the team and the authority have to agree on everything. It was an extremely difficult decision. It came down to Mortenson versus Hunt Construction, (and) Hunt teamed up with Kraus-Anderson (another Minnesota-based company). As we worked through it, Mortenson was the best bid. They're a strong team with great experience, and they're great in the community. We've worked with them in our community many years. They did a wonderful job at Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium. Bottom line is they have strengths, and they have a track record of being on time and on budget. In the end, it was a unanimous decision, but it was a process we had to work through."

How much help was it that the Wilf family has been involved in major construction projects of their own?

Lester Bagley: "It's been a huge benefit. The Vikings and our ownership have experience negotiating with builders and architects. It contributed a lot toward hiring the architect and builder. We think overall it's an advantage in this market. It comes into play in cost and understanding the project."

The Vikings want a retractable roof. What are the odds of that happening?

Lester Bagley: "We think the odds are pretty good for a retractable feature. It could be a window that opens to the downtown skyway. It could be walls that open to the plaza. That's something we're looking hard at. The other thing is the roof. It's going to come down to cost. That's one of the most important things in getting Mortenson involved. Now they can cost out those features. Our goal is to bring in a retractable feature within the $975 million budget. If not, we're going to have to have conversations with the stadium authority. The retractable feature is a big one. Sometime in the next 60 days or thereabouts, we will make a decision and share with the public the vision for the stadium and what it will look like."